Leaving card messages

If your mind goes blank when trying to decide what to write in a leaving card, you’re not the only one! Leaving card messages can often feel clichéd when you’re actually trying to be sincere and wish someone well for the future. 

So, to help you strike the tone you’re aiming for, we’ve pulled together some ideas for funny, witty, simple and caring leaving wishes that will help you say farewell in a way that works for you! 

Before we dive into our farewell messages, have a browse of our leaving card range which is stocked with a bunch of wonderful designs: 

Why it’s important to say goodbye

When someone is leaving, it’s important to say goodbye as it lets them know just how much of an impact they’ve had in their role, especially since working likely takes up the majority of their days. It’s also just a nice gesture to congratulate them. You could even be extra generous and add a little gift to go along with your message.

Most of the time, the longer you’ve been working with them the longer or personal the message should be, just always keep in the back of your mind that your boss might end up reading it… 

Funny leaving messages for work colleagues

Is your close colleague going on to new things? Write them a funny farewell message to lift their mood:

1. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone it was you.
2. Congratulations. You escaped.
3. As you slide down the bannister of life, may all the splinters be facing in the right direction!
4. Run, Simba. And never return!
5. This is not goodbye! I’ve got cameras rigged up in your house.
6. How you didn’t get sacked before now is beyond me!
7. Don’t leave! I can’t cope with these idiots on my own.
8. I’m really going to miss ignoring your emails!
9. Judas!
10. Therapy for my abandonment issues is expensive. You can pay me in instalments if you like.

Our funny leaving cards pair perfectly with the above messages, so have a browse and see if any catch your eye. 

Playful leaving card messages

Another round of message ideas that might be worth considering if you’ve got a solid relationship with the person leaving are our playful leaving card messages. Just take a peek for yourself:

1. This is a leaving card with a future and a past… but no present.
2. Over the years we’ve known each other, I’ve come to regard you as someone I have met.
3. I’ve no idea who you are, but didn’t want to look bad when they passed this leaving card round.
4. News of your departure has rocked the company’s procrastination department.
5. The coffee machine won’t be the same without you.
6. Happy birthday / wedding / new baby / future career – delete as appropriate.
7. Can I have your stapler?
8. In future, just be yourself. Only less so.
9. Finally we can be together, without worrying what people think.
10. I thought you left ages ago?

Witty leaving card messages

Searching for some more witty things to write in a leaving card? Here are a few tongue-in-cheek leaving card messages to inspire you:

1. As I look back on our time together, I can honestly describe you as one of the people I happened to work with. 
2. We’ll all get replaced by machines eventually. I’ve heard the broken photocopier is having your desk.
3. Looking forward to your leaving party, which starts as soon as we’ve seen the back of you.
4. Good luck at your new job! I’m guessing there was only one candidate for the position?
5. It won’t be the same here without you. It’ll be much, much nicer.
6. Are you still here? Thought you were leaving.
7. Hard times always flush out the weak! Shame you weren’t up for the fight.
8. Off to pastures new eh? Well, there’s dirt in every field.
9. I hope that rash clears up soon.
10. The village called to say they’re excited to be getting their idiot back!

Simple and professional farewell wishes

Of course, you can’t be super friendly with everyone you work with, so here are some simple yet thoughtful leaving card messages to give you a few more options: 

1. It will be rubbish here without you!
2. I’ll miss you!
3. Wishing you all the best with everything.
4. Good luck in your next chapter.
5. Thank you for everything and good luck!
6. Keep in touch!
7. So sorry you’re leaving – you will be missed.
8. Wherever you’re going, they’re lucky to have you!
9. Sorry to be saying goodbye!
10. I hope our paths cross again soon. 

With plenty of simple and thoughtful designs, our traditional leaving cards are perfect for when you want to keep things professional. 

Leaving job quotes

If you’re wondering what to write in a leaving card but you’re completely stuck for words, why not let someone else do the talking for you? Here are some thoughtful and meaningful leaving quotes:

1. “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.” – Garrison Keillor
2. “There are far better things ahead than we ever leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis
3.  “If you can dream it, you can do it.” – Walt Disney
4. “It is so hard to leave-until you leave. And then it is the easiest thing in the world.” – John Green
5. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” – Steve Jobs

Caring leaving card messages

Maybe you’re genuinely full of emotion thinking about them leaving? Put all your feelings down into a card with one of these super caring sorry you’re leaving messages: 

1. You’ve been a wonderful presence in all of our lives, and we wish you all the best.
2. It’s tough to say farewell to someone as loved as you are, but we’ll always have happy memories to savour!
3. Thank you for everything you’ve done, and good luck in your new venture.
4. I feel lucky to have known you these last few years and wish you every success in the future.
5. Wishing you the best of luck in your new chapter, not that you’ll need it! You’re going to be a huge success, as always. 
6. This place will be poorer for losing you, but our loss is someone else’s gain!
7. People like you are hard to find, difficult to part with, and impossible to forget.
8. Thank you for all you have done, and good luck with all that you do in the future.
9. I’m sad to see you go, but let’s celebrate the fact we had this time together!
10. You’ll always have a place here should you ever wish to return! 

Leaving messages for colleagues going travelling

Wondering what to write in a leaving card for a colleague who’s jetting off? Wish them a safe and fun-filled adventure with one of the below: 

1. Have a safe journey and make sure to take advantage of all the adventures to come.
2. Bon Voyage and don’t forget all about us boring people when you’re travelling the world.
3. Sending all the best wishes and hope you arrive safe and sound, I’m so jealous and you’re going to have a great time creating lots of new and exciting memories.
4. May you have no delays on your journeys, good luck!
5. Stay safe and immerse yourself in everything possible.
6. Farewell and I can’t wait to see what you get up to on your travels!
7. Take all the pictures and live in every moment, we’re all going to miss you but know you’ll have such a great time.
8. It’s been a pleasure having you on the team and we’re so excited for your trip!
9. Can’t wait to see what you get up to on your travels, don’t forget to bring us back a souvenir.
10. We’re all going to be so jealous of your travels and know you’ll have the most amazing time. 

Leaving card messages for your work bestie 

So, your work bestie is abandoning you to chase new horizons? It’s only right you send them off with a farewell message they deserve: 

1. Who am I going to go on my 3pm coffee run with now? Going to miss you so much! 
2. Sending you all the luck in the world for your next steps (although I still can’t believe you’re leaving me…) 
3. To my work bestie, I’m really going to miss you! 
4. We’ve managed to have so much fun, haven’t we? Sending you lots of luck for your new adventure! 
5. Can’t believe I’m losing my work partner in crime… 
6. Here’s to new adventures. I’m going to miss seeing your face around the office but I’m super excited for you! 
7. Congrats on the new job, let’s switch out our lunchbreak coffee dates for weekend brunch meetups! 
8. They’re so lucky to have you! Lots of people are certainly going to miss you around here.  
9. I don’t know what i’m going to do without you… miss you already, work bestie!  
10. Super proud of all your recent achievements, best of luck! 

If you’re looking to poke fun at someone you’ve been super close with at work, check out our range of rude leaving cards. 

Sorry you’re leaving messages for your boss

At work, your boss plays a huge role in your career, so it’s only right to send your best wishes with one of the following leaving card messages:

1. Good luck with the future boss, you’re going to be greatly missed.
2. You’ve played such a pivotal role in my career and I can’t tell you how much help it’s been to me. Best of luck with your next role.
3. You’ve really been the best boss I’ve ever had and please do stay in touch!
4. Thank you so much for always believing in me, I’ve learnt so much from you and can’t wait to see what else you do in the future.
5. I’m so grateful to have been able to have such a wonderful and inspiring mentor like you.
6. Before you go, I just wanted to send a little note your way to let you know how great of a boss you’ve been. Congratulations and thank you for everything!
7. It’s definitely going to be strange not having you as my manager anymore, but you’ve done so much for me.
8. I’m so happy that I got to have you as my boss and develop a genuine friendship along the way. Good luck with your new team!
9. Thank you for bringing out the best in me and making me challenge myself.
10. Hope you settle into your new role well and continue being the wonderful leader that I’ve had the joy of working with.

Saying goodbye can be tricky, but it’s always worthwhile. With so many ideas of things to write in a leaving card, hopefully, you’ll no longer be stuck for what to say!

And if you’re looking for more what to write inspo, just head on over to the thortful blog. There you can read about what to write in a retirement card (along with tips on how to plan a retirement party). We’ve also got a guide on what to write in a maternity card if someone’s leaving to have a baby. 

Finally, if you’re hoping to treat whoever’s leaving to a little something, you can find lots of inspiration in our gift guide for coworkers.